Graduates: How To Apply

Graduate Programs

The Department offers graduate programs leading both to M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. The Department has strong collaborative ties, both teaching and research, with other departments on campus, including Zoology, Agricultural Sciences Agroecolgy, Forestry, Chemistry, Biodiversity Research Centre, Microbiology, Biotechnology Laboratory, Earth & Ocean Sciences, and Geography.

MSc degree The M.Sc. degree is usually a student’s first serious exercise in research and prepares the student for a research or a teaching career. In this programme the student is expected to carry out a research project, generally chosen and designed by the research supervisor. The project should not be open-ended, should have sharply defined goals, and should be of limited duration (2-3 years) and designed to give research experience towards solving a problem. (For full regulations, go to graduate regulations)

PhD degree The Ph.D. programme prepares the student for a career as an independent researcher or teacher. In this programme the student is expected to design and execute, in consultation with the supervisory committee, a major piece of original work that will significantly advance understanding in the field. In this the supervisor defines the general research area and also acts as an advisor. (For full regulations, go to graduate regulations)

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Admission

There are 5 stages to admission to the Botany Graduate Program: 
1. Meet minimum academic requirements
2. Find and contact potential supervisor(s) 
3. Complete the UBC online application 
4. Review by the Botany Graduate Admissions Committee 
5. Acceptance by a supervisor

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies sets the minimum requirements for admission to any graduate program at UBC. Given that a student meets these minimum requirements, then the biggest hurdle to acceptance is finding an appropriate supervisor.

How to Find a Supervisor

Check the potential supervisors list for supervisors in Botany, then contact the faculty member(s) in whose work you are interested by e-mail and discuss your prospects. Please note that students who do not make contact with potential supervisors are rarely accepted.

Submitting the Application

1. Complete the UBC online application form for the Botany program and pay application fee.

2. Ensure that we have received three letters of reference. It is recommended that referees upload their letter to the online application system.

The online application will include the following documents (in .pdf format):

  • Curriculum vitae or Resume
  • Scanned copies of official transcripts (including grading scale keys) for all post-secondary institutions attended or currently attending. If the transcripts are in a language other than English, please upload a certified literal English translation of the transcripts. If application receives departmental approval, applicants will be required to submit official transcripts to UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. 

3. Most international students must submit original TOEFL or IELTS test scores to UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Application Deadlines

For September entry, applications must be received in the Botany Department by February 1st. Most graduate students start their programs in September, however January admissions are also possible. For January entry, applications must be received in the Botany Department by July 1st. Late applications may be considered; please check with the Botany graduate program coordinator.

Applying early is encouraged. Once application is complete, Botany Graduate Admissions Committee will review the file. Students with strong academic credentials should apply by December 31st to be considered for scholarships. 

Botany financial support information for students can be found HERE.

 

For further information contact the Botany Graduate Program Coordinator:

Botany Graduate Program 
Department of Botany 
University of British Columbia 
6270 University Boulevard 
Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6T 1Z4 
Telephone: (604) 822-2133 
e-mail: alice.liou@botany.ubc.ca